This article was different then many McPhee articles I have read so far.
First, McPhee is profiling a place instead of a person, something different all together. I am used to reading his people profiles. But he does this in a much similar way. Instead of writing about the place itself, he also writes about the people who inhabit this place.
It is called the Pine Barrens, in New Jersey. If you have ever experienced a small country town with a very small population, this is this place. According to McPhee, the Pine Barrens is one of the most lucious forests in the state. This was a surprise to me, because I never associated New Jersey with nature, and I have been there.
McPhee takes his readers on a journey to this place. He begins talking about a corner store called Brizby's. As we all know, in a small town, the corner store sometimes has the most gossip and action, and it can be the best way to get to know a place.
This brought back memories of Shediac NB for me. There was this one store, actually the only store in Point Du Chene. Everyone would hang out at this store. Adults, teens, children, everyone from the neighboor. This was the meeting grounds for all people in the town.
McPhee writes about his observations. He talks about the people entering and leaving the store, and even goes as far as ease dropping on their conversations, which they don't seem to mind. By observing their conversations, and even going as far as describing what they buy, McPhee really gives the people of this place character. By doing this, the reader quickly realizes this place would not be much without its Piney's natives.
These people are very unique. They live in a place where people get paid for picking blueberries and making moon shine. This is true country.
This to me is as close as anyone would get to a hick town. There are not very much opportunities or things to do, but there is something different about the Piney's. They actually appreciate their land. Not to many outsiders come to live in the Barrens, and if they do, the Piney's would know about it. McPhee talks about how much they appreciate the Pine Barrens (the forest). They do want outsiders to move in, because if they did, they may take over the forest.
McPhee really writes in a clever way. He knows how to give a person or place some character. Instead of describing what someone looks like, or interviewing someone about someone else, he will describe what they buy at a store, or how they pack their suitcase. All of this might seem mundane, but this really makes the reader feel like they are there with the character, and this is something I really appreciate about McPhee. He writes about things that might not matter to some, and in the end, gives it meaning. He gives meaning to the most insignificant things.
To outsiders, the Pineys might fit the hick stereotype, but McPhee really shows their intimacy with their land, and this makes readers appreciate it. I found myself looking up this place on the internet, actually wondering if it might be some place I would visit one day. McPhee really gets under his readers skin. He has trumendous skill.
This article was different then many McPhee articles I have read so far.
First, McPhee is profiling a place instead of a person, something different all together. I am used to reading his people profiles. But he does this in a much similar way. Instead of writing about the place itself, he also writes about the people who inhabit this place.
It is called the Pine Barrens, in New Jersey. If you have ever experienced a small country town with a very small population, this is this place. According to McPhee, the Pine Barrens is one of the most lucious forests in the state. This was a surprise to me, because I never associated New Jersey with nature, and I have been there.
McPhee takes his readers on a journey to this place. He begins talking about a corner store called Brizby's. As we all know, in a small town, the corner store sometimes has the most gossip and action, and it can be the best way to get to know a place.
This brought back memories of Shediac NB for me. There was this one store, actually the only store in Point Du Chene. Everyone would hang out at this store. Adults, teens, children, everyone from the neighboor. This was the meeting grounds for all people in the town.
McPhee writes about his observations. He talks about the people entering and leaving the store, and even goes as far as ease dropping on their conversations, which they don't seem to mind. By observing their conversations, and even going as far as describing what they buy, McPhee really gives the people of this place character. By doing this, the reader quickly realizes this place would not be much without its Piney's natives.
These people are very unique. They live in a place where people get paid for picking blueberries and making moon shine. This is true country.
This to me is as close as anyone would get to a hick town. There are not very much opportunities or things to do, but there is something different about the Piney's. They actually appreciate their land. Not to many outsiders come to live in the Barrens, and if they do, the Piney's would know about it. McPhee talks about how much they appreciate the Pine Barrens (the forest). They do want outsiders to move in, because if they did, they may take over the forest.
McPhee really writes in a clever way. He knows how to give a person or place some character. Instead of describing what someone looks like, or interviewing someone about someone else, he will describe what they buy at a store, or how they pack their suitcase. All of this might seem mundane, but this really makes the reader feel like they are there with the character, and this is something I really appreciate about McPhee. He writes about things that might not matter to some, and in the end, gives it meaning. He gives meaning to the most insignificant things.
To outsiders, the Pineys might fit the hick stereotype, but McPhee really shows their intimacy with their land, and this makes readers appreciate it. I found myself looking up this place on the internet, actually wondering if it might be some place I would visit one day. McPhee really gets under his readers skin. He has trumendous skill.